Attachment for printing slug casting machines



gwuem tom" Jan. 12, 1954 v. A. JOHNSTON ATTACHMENT FOR PRINTING SLUG CASTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1947 1954 v. A. JOHNSTON 2,665,800

ATTACHMENT FOR PRINTING SLUG CASTING MACHINES Filed March 10. 1947 2 Shee ts-Sheet 2 110 -fi-QOHNSTON m fim Q 0Q Ms Patented Jan. 12 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR PRINTINGr SLUG CASTING MACHINES 2 Claims. 1

This invention relatestoattachments for printing slug casting machines, and more particularly to such attachments for providing full mechanical operation in both directions of theassembler block elevator.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide novel and improved attachments for printing slug casting machineswhereby operation of the assembler block elevator both during lifting andlowering is eifectedmechanically and the cycle initiatediby the; operation of a simple key.

An important object. of the present invention consists in the provision of attachments for application to: the conventional commercial printing slug casting machine without the necessity for making any; changes, whatever in the structural elements thereofi or of doing any cutting, drilling or other'machinework on any parts of the original machine.

Another important object resides in the arrangement and construction of the several attachment parts to facilitate their incorporation with a standard printing slugcasting machine With-theminimum of effort and without interfering whatsoever with the normal operation of the machine or the operation with manual elevation and lowering if desired.

An important feature of the invention resides inthe use of the manual lifting apparatus for the assembler block elevator for providing the attachment point for the energizing means for providing the automatic lift Another important feature of the invention resides in the manner of attaching, supporting and adjusting the position of the pivoted lever which lowers the elevator after the line of matricesassembled thereon are transferred to the delivery channel and the assembling elevator latch is disengaged, whereby this lever has a portionsuitably extending into the path ofmovement of a power operated element mechanically moved, at the termination of the line delivery;

A further, important feature of the: invention resides in, the construction and assembly of the actuating key and its. associated parts, including the supporting element therefor whereby it is arranged to be clamped to the keyboard frame and to provide both up anddownstroke limiting adjustments for the key A still further important feature of the invention resides in the incorporation, of the, sliding latch for the assembler elevator block into a sub, stitute slide roll bracket which also mounts the fulcrum for the latch. operating lever.

Other and further features and, objects of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the accompanying drawings and following specification, wherein is disclosed a single exemplary embodiment of the invention with the understanding that such changes and modifications may be made therein. as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In said drawings:

Fig 1 is a perspective view of the keyboard, assembler block elevator and such associated portions of a conventi'onal printing slug casting machine as are necessary for an understanding of the present invention, the attachment parts of which are shown assembled thereon;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation on an enlarged scale of a, portion of the assembler block elevator, parts being broken away for clarity of illustration;

Fig; 3 is a side elevation of the elevator releas ing key, key lever and key lever supporting clamp, shown attached to a portion of the machine frame;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, illustrating the arrangement of the attachment of the lever supporting clamp on the frame;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on line 55 of Fig. 1, looking downwardly, showing the mounting and adjusting means for the fulcrum for the elevator return lever and its association with a portion of the frame column.

The construction and operation of the conventional printing slug casting machine is too well known to needrecounting here, but it may be stated that by the operation of appropriate lteys on a keyboard, resembling in some respects that of a typewriter, the operator is enabled to select a succession of matrices from which a line of type is subsequently cast. These matrices are advanced, oneat a time, as their respective keys are operated, on to an assembler block. When a sufficient number of matrices to complete a line have been delivered and appropriately assembled on the block, the operator is required to actuate by hand an elevator which lifts the block to a, transfer position, where an assembler latch engages andholds the elevator in this position, whereupon a line delivery carriage-pawl is' released and the assembled line of matrices is transferred to the left into the de' livery channel from which it passes to the vise which hold the matrices while the line of type is cast therefrom. The assembling elevator latch is released by the line delivery carriage slide so that as soon as the matrices are removed from the assembler block it may be returned manually to normal position. The operation of the lever for raising the elevator is extremely prevents the simultaneous use of the right hand for operating the keyboard, and may result in rapid wear in several parts of the ma chine, since some operators are extremely rough in their effort to hurry both the lifting and the lowering operations. By the use of this attach.- ment the operators hands remain in operating position at all times. Therefore, he does not have to lose time returning his hands to operating position, as in manual raising and lowering the assembler block. This permits uninterrupted fingering of the keys and greatly increases production.

in accordance with the present invention attachments are provided for incorporation with the conventional machine, to provide for automatic or semi-automatic operation of the elevator and its subsequent lowering. The elevator operation cycle is initiated by a touch on a key to the left of and in alignment with one of the rows of keys on the keyboard, which has substantially the same touch or stroke as these keys. This operation releases a latch, permitting a tension spring to lift the elevator to the transfer position where it is locked in the customary manher until the matrices have been removed. The line transfer mechanism for removing the matrices, which is mechanically operated, serves also to tension a second spring forming a part of the attachment, which on release of the elevator lowers it against the action of the lifting spring and imparts a loading to this latter spring, conditioning it for the next operation of lifting.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Fig. '1, there is illustrated a sufiicient number of parts of the conventional printing slug casting machine to illustrate the operation of the invention and to depict all of the securing points for the various attachments and the cooperating elements and parts. In Fig. l the keyboard is clearly illustrated at It) and is provided with a fore-and-aft horizontal frame element ll supporting a bearing ii at the forward end. A corresponding frame element on the opposite side supports bearing l4 and between these is journalled a rock-shaft I5 equipped at the right side with a normally substantially horizontal handle i 6 fixed thereto by a tapered pin extending vertically. To the opposite end of the rock-shaft i5 is attached the elevator operating arm I8 extending horizontally rearwardly to support pivot 28 securing the elevator link 22 to the rear end thereof. This link is pivoted at 23 to the elevator assembly 24; which supports the matrix assembler block.

In order to provide for lifting the elevator by rotation of rock-shaft 5 the conventional tapered pin which attaches handle Hi to the rockshaft is driven out and replaced by the one illustrated at IT, whose lower end is threaded at 26 to receive the extension 28 transversely drilled at its lower end for the passage of the threaded eye rod 29 receiving the adiusting thumb screw 39. Attached to the eye at 29 is a tensioned helical spring 3| imparting the necessary rotational bias to the rock-shaft to lift the elevator to its desired position at a rapid rate of speed without bringing it too abruptly against its upoer stop. The rear end of spring 3| is attached to eye 32 secured to U-clamp 33 attached to a portion 34 of the rear frame of the machine by means of a set screw 35. The spring passes out of the way beneath the keyboard.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the elevator 24 will be seen to include the rear block 36 having spaced lower guide surfaces 3'! and 38 and relieved or set back upper side surfaces 4! The guide surfaces operate between a grooved left guide 4| and a so-called slide roll bracket 42. This bracket is attached by means of dowels 44 and screws 45 to a backing element (not shown). For the purpose of the present invention the original slide roll bracket 42 is removed and a substitute of identical shape applied and accuratel lined up by virtue of the dowels This bracket is transversely drilled at 59 and counterbored at El sliding latch 52 having the inclined nose 53 and a slightly flattened end surface 54 to engage over the shoulder at the junction of 31 and 40 on the elevator rear, block. In the position shown this latch holds the elevator against rising. If the latch is withdrawn the elevator may rise under suitable energization and when it is subsequently lowered its bottom surface engages the inclined surface 53 of the latch to retract the same until its spring presses it to the position illustrated in Fig. 2 to again lock the elevator in lowered position;

In addition to the large diameter portion 52 closely fitting the bore 50, the latch has a smaller diameter extension 5% operating in the counterbore 5! and threaded on its projecting end at 51. A- helical expansion spring 53 bears at its opposite ends respectively on the rear of the portion 52 of the latch and the junction of the bores 5! and 553 to urge the latch toward the left. Limited motion toward the left is achieved by threading the extension 63 on the projection 5'! of the latch, which extension at the left abuts the side wall 6! of the bracket. This extension is vertically slotted as at 62 to receive the depending tongue 63 of bell crank lever 64. The slot is sufliciently long in respect to the width of the tongue so that the latch can move to the right under the action of the lowering elevator without moving the tongue. Movement of the tongue to the right, however, retracts the latch as will be apparent. The apex of the bell crank lever 65 is pivoted by a shoulder screw 65 onto the sideof stud 6'5 threaded into the substitute bracket 42.

Lifting of the horizontal arm of bell crank lever 64 to effect latch withdrawal is under control of a key 63, which is positioned to the left of and in alignment with one of the rows of keys on the conventional keyboard it. This key is carried at the forward end of a conventional horizontal lever 69, as more completely shown in Fig. 3 which is fulcrumed intermediate its ends on a pivot screw it in a bracket plate H. The rear end of lever 69 is articulated at '12 to vertical link 13, articulated at It, to the outer end of the horizontal arm of bell crank lever 64. Thus downward movement of the key 68 lifts arm 64 and so withdraws latch 52.

Bracket plate H comprises a heavy strip of metal bent to U-shape at E5 to curl around and beneath the side frame member i I below the keyboard. Secure clamping action is effected by one or more set screws is opposite the short end of the U and adapted to engage the frame, as shown. In order to provide for limiting both the up and down strokes of the key lever the bracket H is fitted with a stamped metal attachment it having a fiat plate portion slotted at 79 to accommoto receive the cylindrical '5 date screws 80' threaded: in: the" main. bar: of. the bracket so as to. adjust the vertical positionof the attachment and hencev the cooperation: of the lever with: the laterally offset and horizontally bent: upstroke limiting flange 82:, which overlies the key lever 69 forward of its. fulcrum: 10. A parallel? flange 83 positioned a substantial distance beneath the upper one receives the adjustable set screw 34 acting as a lower stop or limiting device for the lever 69.

For effecting lowering of the elevator after it has been released by the action of the key and associated parts described and lifted by the energy of spring 3t, a substantially vertically disposed helicalspring 86 is provided which issuiiiciently stronger than 3I to serve for lowering the elevator and re-energi'zing spring a! for the next lift. Such a spring is supported from eye bolt 81, whichis passed through one of the severat adjustment holes 82 in the horizontal arm 33 of a bracket having a vertically forked end 84 which fits beneath bolt 85 on the rear frame element 86, which bolt is normally used to hold the magazine frame to the supporting column of the original machine.

The force and motion of the lower end of spring 80 is transferred to arm I8, which is attached between the lifting link 22 and the rock shaft I5, by means of a two arm lever ill. One arm 88 of this lever extends rearwardly and is hooked to the lower end of spring 89, as shown, while the other arm 89 extends forwardly and has a horizontally right angled end 90 overlying arm I8 just forward of where it is attached at 28 to the link 22. The two parts 88 and 89 of lever 8? spring from diametrically opposite points on the periphery of a sleeve BI, where their ends are also displaced longitudinally of the sleeve, as clearly seen in Fig. 5. This sleeve is fulcrumed on a bolt 92 passing through plate 93, which is clamped be-- tween bolt head 94 and a threaded collar 95 thereon. A nut and washer 96 position the sleeve on its fulcrum bolt. The plate 93 is supported on the frame column element IEO, as clearly seen in both Figs. 1 and 5. This column, for purposes of lightness, is provided with a plurality of elongated perforations Isl, leaving spaced side bars I02 and I03 adjacent each perforation. Plate 93 is horizontally disposed across an aperture ItI and bears against the outer faces of these bars, r

and a corresponding plate I05 is arranged parallel thereto and bears on the back or inner face of the same bars. The two plates are connected together by a pair of set screws I to and I 01, spaced somewhat more closely together than the sides of perforations IQI to permit both lateral and vertical adjustment of plates 93 and I05 to fix accurately the position of the fulcrum or bearing for the lever 81.

As previously stated a source of power, usually an electric motor, drives portions of the printing slug casting machine and has adequate connections (not shown) for operating the line delivery mechanism after the assembler block and elevator have been raised to their upper position, latched there and the line delivery carriage pawl released. In order that the movement of the line delivery mechanism be as shock free as possible the operating shaft I I therefore is adapted to be cushioned by means of air cushion cylinder II2 positioned vertically as shown in Fig. 1 to the right and rear of the assembler block and elevator and secured to a frame member (not shown). The cylinder has a closed top H3 and is fitted with a piston II4 pivoted at II5 to the (ill upper end of. a pistonv rod IIB. connected by pin IiI 'I to the: forked end of lever H8 integral with collar I20 n'on -rotatably secured to shaft III]. This lever H8 extends horizontally aboveand transversely to the rearwardly extending portion 88 of the: elevator return lever 87, as clearly seen in: both Figs; 1 5, and in its inoperative position holds the portion 88 depressed to cook spring 8'0 and. free arm'- I8 for lifting under the action ofspring 31.

In the operation of a printing slug casting machine equipped with the attachments described; the operator, in the usual manner actuates the keyboard until the desired line of matrices is arranged in the assembler block. He then touches the button 68, which withdraws latch 52 and permits the assembler elevator to be lifted through the actionof tensioned spring 31 operating through levers 28 in a manner substantially identical: with manual operation had pressure been applied to hand lever Iii. The rotation of shaft I5 is imparted to arm I8 and a lift is given to link 22 and hence to the elevator. The elevator rises until its motion is terminated by a stop (not shown) when the assembler latch engages and holds the assembler block and elevator in raised position. This last action then effects release of the line delivery-carriage pawl and the assembled line of matrices is transferred to the left into the delivery channel by movement of the line delivery-carriage imparted to it through shaft I It! from the drive motor through any suitable mechanism (not shown). This operation lifts the lever II8 which operates the air cushion, so that it clears arm 88 of lever 81, as shown in Fig. 1. This allows spring to come into play and move overhang 90 down onto arm I8, and since spring 80 readil overpowers spring 3| the elevator is lowered as soon as the assembler elevator latch (not shown) is disengaged by the line deliver carriage slide. The elevator is thus brought to its lowermost position but any tendency toward shock at the bottom is obviated by having the spring 3| now coming into full tension so as to prevent too great a final effort by spring 80 in the lowering operation. Since spring 80 has only sufiicient strength to cook spring 3i it is clear that the elevator will actually lower by its own weight. The line deliverycarriage on returning preparatory to its next delivery operation lowers lever I I8, which engages arm 88, cocks spring 80 and lifts overhang 90 from arm I8, preparing it for its next lifting operation of the elevator.

It will be seen that the attachments just described can all be applied to the conventional printing slug casting machine without the use of any cutting or drilling tools and that they are all properl adjustable to insure maximum efficiency of operation.

I claim:

1. A key and lever assembly for mounting on a side frame of a printing slug casting keyboard comprising in combination, a metal strip, a key secured to one end thereof, a pivot at the opposite end of said strip and a support and clamp element pivotally supporting said strip interme diate its ends and comprising a metal strap having a U-bend atits lower end to embrace said frame, a clamp screw to engage said frame to position said element thereon, a pivot for said key strip near the upper end of said strap, a stop element, means for adjusting said element vertically on said strap, said element including a laterally offset flange overhanging said strip to limit movement of the key in one direction, a link secured to the end of said strip by said pivot and means associating said link and a locking means on said casting machine for releasing the same when the key is depressed.

2. A key and lever assembly for mounting on a side frame of a printing slug casting keyboard comprising in combination, a, metal strip, a key secured to one end thereof, a pivot at the opposite end of said strip and a support and clamp element pivotally supporting said strip intermediate its ends and comprising a metal strap having a U-bend at its lower end to embrace said frame, a clamp screw to engage said frame to position said element thereon, a pivot for said key strip near the upper end of said strap, a stop element, means for adjusting said element vertically on said strap, said element including a laterally offset flange overhanging said strip to limit movement of the key in one direction, a second flange beneath the first and an adjusting screw in said '8 second flange adapted to limit the movement of said key in the opposite direction, a link secured to the end of said strip by said pivot and means associating said link and a locking means on said casting machine for releasing the same when the key is depressed.

VIRGIL A. JOHNSTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 958,530 Pickett May 17, 1910 998,861 Steele July 25, 1911 1,247,568 Otis Nov. 20, 1917 1,331,655 Loring Feb, 24, 1920 1,564,757 Cooper Dec. 8, 1925 1,812,808 Sperry June 30, 1931 1,866,976 Keeler July 12, 1932 2,135,919 Streeter Nov. 8, 1938 

